U.S. Marines salute the flag during a ceremony for World War II veteran Calvin Curtis, 87, at Fort Sam Houston, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. Calvin received the Congressional Gold Medal during the ceremony. He was a member of the Montfort Point Marines, the nation's first black Marines.

U.S. Marines salute the flag during a ceremony for World War II veteran Calvin Curtis, 87, at Fort Sam Houston, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. Calvin received the Congressional Gold Medal during the ceremony. He was a

World War II veteran Calvin Curtis, 87, center, talks with Retired Gunnery Sgt. Robert Otto, left, and Retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Felix Conde, Jr. after he was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. Curtis was a member of the Montford Point Marines, the nation's first black Marines. less

World War II veteran Calvin Curtis, 87, center, talks with Retired Gunnery Sgt. Robert Otto, left, and Retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Felix Conde, Jr. after he was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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World War II veteran Calvin Curtis, 87, right, sits with his son, Devon, before he is presented with the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. Curtis was a member of the Montford Point Marines, the nation's first black Marines.

World War II veteran Calvin Curtis, 87, right, sits with his son, Devon, before he is presented with the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. Curtis was a

Veteran Calvin Curtis holds a book about Marines at Montford Point at Camp Lejeune where he trained during World War II.

Veteran Calvin Curtis holds a book about Marines at Montford Point at Camp Lejeune where he trained during World War II.

Photo: John Davenport, San Antonio Express-News

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Jeffrey Jung, left, a Navy Veteran, pushes his father, World War II Veteran Lester Jung, as they go through security at the San Antonio International Airport on Friday. Also in line is World War II Veteran William Schroeder, 82, with RN Bryan Watson, and World War II Veteran Calvin Curtis, with Sharon Martin.

Jeffrey Jung, left, a Navy Veteran, pushes his father, World War II Veteran Lester Jung, as they go through security at the San Antonio International Airport on Friday. Also in line is World War II Veteran

Calvin T. Curtis holds a photo of himself taken wile he was a Marine on May 17, 2000.

Calvin T. Curtis holds a photo of himself taken wile he was a Marine on May 17, 2000.

Photo: Express-News File Photo

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Former Marine, 87, receives Congressional Gold Medal

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Sixty-nine years after he helped break the color barrier as one of the nation's first black Marines, lifelong South Texas resident Calvin Curtis received the Congressional Gold Medal on Tuesday for his service.

Wearing the same neatly trimmed mustache as in his World War II days but now walking with a cane, the 87-year-old Curtis accepted the medal — the highest civilian honor given by Congress — during an outdoor ceremony at the Navy Operational Support Center at Fort Sam Houston.

As one elderly friend wiped away tears, former Cpl. Curtis stood to receive the medal, followed by a hug from Marine Lt. Col. Bruce Sotire and applause from the crowd.

“This is a great moment for my life today,” Curtis told some 30 relatives, friends and even strangers who came to see him receive the award that he shares with all other Montford Point Marines — African-American Marines who trained at the same segregated Montford Point boot camp at Camp Lejeune, N.C., between 1942 and 1949.

Tuesday's ceremony was the culmination of efforts by Curtis's son Todd Curtis, who found out months after the fact that more than 400 other Montford Point Marines had been honored in a ceremony in Washington last summer.

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Todd Curtis, who lives in Boston, contacted federal, state and local officials to ensure his dad would be recognized, too.

In bestowing the award, Sotire praised Curtis' courage and told him all Marines in uniform are living proof of the difference he made in being among the first black Marines.

Curtis, like all the other Montford Point Marines who have been honored, received a replica of the medal (the actual medal, presented to the Montford Point Marines as a whole, currently is at the U.S. Mint and headed for display at the Smithsonian).

The back of the medal reads: “For outstanding perseverance and courage that inspired social change in the Marine Corps.”

Curtis and his twin brother, Clarence, entered the Marines as 18-year-olds from a farm outside the South Texas town of Charlotte.

They trained at Montford Point after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order allowing blacks to enlist in the Marines, the last military branch to accept them.

During the war, Curtis was stationed in Hawaii, where he handled ammunition in an all-black unit, working under the supervision of white officers.

“Despite the adversity you faced,” Texas Sen. John Cornyn wrote in a letter read at Tuesday's ceremony, “you and your fellow patriots answered our nation's call to serve, fighting against the enemy and making a significant contribution to the U.S. victory in World War II.”

After his discharge in 1946, Curtis worked as a mail carrier for 35 years. He and his late wife raised their three sons in the East Side house where Curtis still lives today.

His son Calvin Curtis Jr., said it was a joy to see his dad finally receive recognition for his service.

“He's someone who has given his entire life to his country, to his family, to his community,” said the younger Curtis, who came in from Houston for the ceremony.

Niece Gladys Curtis, also from Houston, added: “He's been an inspiration to all of us.”

And even to strangers who turned out for the ceremony — like retired Army Lt. Col. Robert Carter, an African American Vietnam War veteran.

Carter said he felt compelled to attend, even though he didn't personally know Curtis.

“He paved the way for everyone behind him, including me,” Carter said. “I've truly been blessed and I thank this gentleman for doing what he did.”

As attendees started to file back to the parking lot, Todd Curtis spoke of an extra replica Congressional Gold Medal that he's purchased — to send to the daughter of his dad's twin, another Montford Point Marine, who died in 2001.